The Philadelphia 76ers avoided elimination against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night in Game 5. Jayson Tatum and his team had the opportunity to close the Sixers out in Boston once again, but they fell flat in the end.
In the second half, the Celtics lost control of the lead. Once the Sixers got out in front, they managed to pull away with a 113-97 victory.
The Celtics’ struggles were beneficial to a desperate Sixers team, but the Boston star Jayson Tatum doesn’t want the Sixers’ value to get overlooked.
âFirst of all, give them credit; they played well,” Tatum admitted after the Celtics loss.
“A few looks that we got that we felt good about, we just didnât make. Sometimes that happens. Itâs just tough when youâre not scoring at the rate you want to. It puts a lot of pressure on your defense. They made some plays on [the offensive] end.â
The Celtics Couldn’t Stop Joel Embiid
GettyBOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 22: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics after the game at TD Garden on October 22, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Joel Embiid played in his second game of the series and checked in for 39 minutes.
The star center shot 12-23 from the field and 9-10 from the free-throw line. He produced 33 points, four rebounds, eight assists, and one block.
The Celtics didn’t have any answers for Embiid and the Sixers. In the third quarter, Boston was outscored 35-29. Then in the fourth, they were dominated by the 76ers 28-11.
âGetting a stop, first of all, that would help,” Tatum said when asked about the Celtics’ offense going stagnant.
“Not playing against a set defense, getting out in transition, finding advantages. There was a stretch where we werenât making shots, and they were coming down and hitting shots or getting fouled. We just kept having to play against a set defense. Getting stops would have helped for sure.â
Back To Philly The Series Goes
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 26: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates a three-pointer during the second half of game four of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 26, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
On Thursday, April 30, the first-round series will be back in Philadelphia.
The 76ers are going to get an opportunity to even the series at three. If all goes right, Joel Embiid will be back on the court for his third-straight game.
At home, the 76ers haven’t had any success in the playoffs this year. During the two games against the Celtics, the 76ers came up short–with the last matchup being a complete blowout. Thursday is a shot at redemption.
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